Folding and telescoping umbrella.



No. 795,175. PATENTED JULY 18. 1906. E. E. SHAPPER & W. D. WEBSTER. FOLDING AND TELESGOPING UMBRELLA.

APPLICATION FILED D30. 30, 1903.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

No. 795,175. 7 PATENTED JULY 18, 1905. E. B. SHAFPER & w. 1). WEBSTER. FOLDING AND TELESOOPING UMBRELLA.

APPLICATION FILED D30. 30. 1903.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 QXA I511 woes (Unveufow NITED STATES Patented July 18, 1905.

PATENT Orrica.

ELMER E. SHAFFER AND VV'ILLIAM D. WEBSTER, OF DAYTON, OHIO.

FOLDING AND TELESCOPING UMBRELLA.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 795,17 5, dated July 18, 1905.

Application filed December 30, 1903. Serial No. 187,171.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that we, ELMER E. SHAFFER and TVILLIAM D. WEBSTER, citizens of the United States, residing at Dayton, in the county of This invention relates to a collapsible um-' brella having foldable and telescopic parts and capable of reduction to compact form for insertion in a satchel, gripsack, or other inclosure or for storage or disposition in a small space. The parts of the umbrella can also be maintained in extended condition when closed and carried in the hand, so that the umbrella may be hoisted instantly when necessary without delay incident to preliminary adjustment. in the construction and arrangement of the several members of the umbrella in conformity with the features of the invention the strength and resistance to breakage demanded in ordinary umbrella organizations are uniformly increased, and the size of the cooperating elements is practically" the same as the corresponding devices usually employed in umbrella manufacture.

The invention consists in the construction, arrangement, combination, and subcombination of the contributing elements hereinafter more fully set forth and subject to extensive modification in the details, dimensions, and

proportions, as Well as in the substitution of' obvious equivalents.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is an elevation of an umbrella-rod having a handle thereon and one of the ribs and stretchers, together with a runner and notch, embodying the features of the invention, the runner and notch and rib being shown in the positions occupied by similar devices in ordinary umbrellas when hoisted and, together with the cover, illustrated in section. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal vertical section of the umbrella shown in collapsed condition, the handle being removed. Fig. 3 is a longitudinal vertical section, on an enlarged scale, of the rib-joint, showing a stretcher terminal in elevation in engagement with said joint. Figs. 4 and 5 are detail perspective views of terminal portions of the rib-sections, showing the manner of constructing the same to produce an interlocking joint. Fig. 6 is a transverse vertical section on the line 6 6, Fig. 8. Fig. 7 is a longitudinal section of portions of the rod and the runner and showing in elevation the inner terminals of the stretchers connected to the runner and the relation of the ends thereof to the rod. Fig. 8 is a section through the lower portion of the rod and the interlocking extremity of the handle; showing the means for separably applying the handle to the rod. Fig. 9 is a detail perspective view of a part of the handle. Fig. 10 is a detail perspective view of the lower extremity of the rod which is engaged by the handle. Fig. 11 is a section through portions of the rod, illustrating the manner of ad j ustably connecting the same.

Similar numerals of reference are employed to indicate corresponding parts in the several views.

The rod in the present instance comprises two sections 1 and 2, of suitable diameter and constructed of metal, having sufficient thickness to render the rod strong and durable.

'The section 2 is telescopically disposed in the section 1 and carries a ferrule or wear-point 3 at its free end, as in ordinary umbrella construction, and also a notch 4:, to which the ribs are pivotally attached by any approved means. The relative diameters of the sections 1 and 2 are such that the section 2 may be readily moved in longitudinal directions in the section 1; but lateral movement of the section 2 is prevented to give the rod as an entirety the proper degree of rigidity. Extending longitudinally through the section 2 of the rod is a groove 5, which communicates at its rear terminal with a lateral outletgroove 6, entering a seat 7, having terminal walls 8 and 9, respectively located above and below or in advance and in rear of the adjacent walls of the lateral groove 6. The groove 5 terminates close to the end of the section 2, which is movable in the section 1, and the length of the groove is suflicient to permit the section 2 to be projected far enough from the section 1 to produce a practical rod or support for an umbrella-frame. The groove 5 is continually engaged by a connecting-pin 10, projecting inwardly from the section 1 near the entrance end of the latter, and when the said pin arrives opposite the groove 6 the section 1 may be turned to cause the pin to enter the seat 7 and hold the two sections locked with relation to each other and prevent accidental collapsing or telescoping movement when the parts of the umbrella are extended for practical use.

Freely slidable on the section 1 of the rod and partially projeotible over the section 2 is a runner 11, carrying a catch 12 for engagement with suitable notches in the sections 1 and 2, located at such points as to either hold the parts of the umbrella closed or hoisted. The catch 12 in the present construction has its operating-spring 13 interposed between the shank of the catch and the runner 11, as clearly shown by Figs. 1 and 2, so as to avoid interior projections, which would obstruct the operation of the runner and the telescopic sections. The runner 11 has its inner end formed with a bead, as in similar devices well known in the art, and at its outer end are a series of slots 14, arranged in circumferential alinement and having on opposite sides of each a pair of ears 15, between which the inner ends 16 of stretchers 17 are pivotally mounted. The ends 16 of the stretchers have bearing enlargements or extensions 18, movably projecting through the slots 14 for a purpose which will be more fully hereinafter explained, and said stretcher ends are also provided with elbows 19, formed by bending the same for the purposes of clearance when the said stretchers are folded and occupy certain positions in relation to the ribs.

The ribs 20 are each composed of an attaching member 21 and an extension member 22, the inner ends of the members being connected by ahinge-joint, so that the extension members 22 may be turned outwardly and bear against the attaching members 21 when the parts of the umbrella are collapsed. The inner ends of the members 21 are pivotally secured to the notch 4 by any suitable means well known in the art, and the opposite end of each of said members is cut away at the outer edge to form a slot 23, the said slot terminating at outwardly-projecting arms 24, which serve as embracing fulcrum projections. The member 21 is formed hollow or channeled,witl1 the open portion thereof inwardly, and the outer end, having the slot 23 and fulcrum projections thereon, has the opposite sides 25 slightly extended in width in an inward direction, and in advance of the slot 23 the sides 25 have outwardly-extending oppositely-disposed seat corrugations or projections 26, which are formed by striking the metal outwardly. The end of each rib extension 22, connected to its companion attaching member 21, is formed with an outer rabbet 27 and inward extensions 28, terminating in angular flanges 29. The

outer edge of said member.

extension member 22 is also hollow or channeled throughout its full length and i has the open side thereof disposed inwardly, the opposite edges 30 of the said extension member being slightly inturned toward each other to provide a longitudinal throat 31, communicating with the opening in the said member. Through the end of the member 22, close to the outer terminal thereof, a transverse opening 32 is formed, and at a suitable distance in rear of said opening another transverse opening 33 extends through the member, the latter opening being located adjacent to the In assembling the hinged or movably-connected terminals of the attaching member 21 and extension member 22 of each rib, the end of the extension member having the rabbet 27 and flange 29 is disposed between the extended sides 25 and fulcrum projections or arms 24 of the contiguous end of the attaching member 21, a pin 34 being first inserted through the opening 32 and the opposite ends of said pin caused to engage theopposite seats 26. The fulcrum projections 24 are connected to the end of the extension member 22 by a pivot-pin 35,which is inserted therethrough and through the opening 33. When the parts have been connected, as just explained, the rabbet 27 projects under the outer adjacent portion of the end of the attaching member 21, so that asmooth joint is formed on the face of the members of the rib to overcome any tendency to wear or abrasion of the cover and also to increase the strength of the connected parts of each rib and limit the inward movement of the extension member 22 when the umbrella is hoisted after said latter member has been arranged in normal position relatively to the member 21. The extremity of the member 22, connected to the member 21, has its outer edge 36 slightly increased in thickness to permit the pivot-pin 35 to be practically in serted therethrough without liability of breaking the member at such point and also to strengthen the joint as an entirety in View of the resistance that must be set up by reason of the engagement with such part of the member 22 of the arms or fulcrum projections 24. The outer thickened portion of the extension member 22 also contributes largely to the formation of a smooth outer surface on the rib adjacent to the joint and a regular disposition thereover of the cover. The outer end of the stretcher 17 is formed with a hooked terminal 37, which loosely engages the pin 34, the said hooked terminal 37 being of less cross-sectional dimension than the remaining part of the stretcher. The diameter of the stretcher is in excess of the width of the throat 31 in the inner edge of the extension member 22, but the hooked terminal 37 is free to slide through the said throat in a longitudinal direction, and for this reason the stretcher will be permitted to move longitudinally into the member 22 of the IIO rib and allow the hooked terminal of said stretcher to project when the parts are folded to automatically engage the pin 34 at the joints between the members 21 and 22 without requiring manual adjustment. The hooked terminal 37 of the stretcher is always held between the extensions 28 of the member 22, and when the rib is disposed in normal position or hoisted, as shown by Fig. 1, the flanges 29 closely bear against the adjacent portions of the inner edges of the extensions of the member 21 and relieve the pivot of a great portion of the strain instituted by the outward pressure of the stretcher. The hooked terminal 37 when the umbrella is hoisted has a part of its outer edge firmly held in contact with the inner side of the rabbet portion or terminal of the member 22, extending under the outer edge or wall of the contiguous end of the member 21, and by this means any tendency towards loose movement or accidental collapse of the extension member 22 is prevented. The length of the stretcher will be determined with accuracy to arrive at this re sult, and by assembling the stretcher end in the manner stated it will not only form a reliable brace for the several parts of the joint, but the particular manner adopted to cause an engagement of the outer end of the stretcher with the parts of the joint will materially reduce wear on the stretcher end. The pin 34 has its ends projected outwardly beyond the opposite sides of the member 22 and rounded, as shown by Fig. 6, to efficiently cooperate with the seats 26 in providing a spring-lock having an automatic operation, and this lock also materially contributes in preventing the connected ends of the members 21 and 22 from becoming accidentally disengaged or having any loose movement whatever when the frame of the umbrella is hoisted.

The umbrella also includes a removable handle or grip. This handle 38 may be of any suitable form and material and has an inner reduced end 39, over which is fitted and se cured a ferrule 40, which is projected beyond the handle end a sufiicient distance to form a socket. Extending from the center of the socket provided by the ferrule 40 and firmly secured to the end of the handle 38 is a securing-shank 41, preferably tubular and constructed of resilient metal. Near its free end this shank has a series of longitudinal slits 42, with intersecting openings 43, the metal between each pair of slits being slightly struck outwardly or bulged, as shown by Fig. 12, to produce a resilient frictional bearing means which regularly surrounds the shank and is normally of slightly-greater diameter than the inner diameter of the tubular section 1 of the rod. The reduced end 39 of the handle 88 also has a locking pin or stud 44 projecting outwardly therefrom parallel to the shank 41. The inner end of the section 1 of the rod to which the handle is attached is fully open and surrounded by a stop-flange 45, with a radial slot 46 opening outwardly through the edge thereof. This stop-flange forms means to limit the inward movement of the runner 12 when the umbrella is closed and also when the latter is folded. This flange also serves as an important auxiliary in holding the handle 38 in attached relation to the rod. In assembling the handle with relation to the rod the shank 41 is forced longitudinally into the inner open end of the section 1 until the flange 45 closely bears against the reduced end 39 of said handle, care being taken to have the pin or stud 44 register with and project through the slot 46. The frictional bearing means of the shank will prevent loose movement of the handle on the rod in a longitudinal direction and the pin 44 obstruct rotation of said handle; but when desired the handle may be readily separated bya simple manual operation, particularly when the umbrella is collapsed and folded, to thereby reduce the length of the umbrella when in compact condition. This removable handle construction also adapts the umbrella embodying the features of the invention to have other handles of different shapes or fashions used in connection therewith, and, further, in the event of breakage of the handle a new one may be readily substituted at a minimum expense. It will be understood that any suitable cover 47 will be secured over the ribs in the usual manner, and, further, that while only one rib and stretcher have been particularly described all the re maining similar parts in the umbrella-frame will have a like construction and arrangement.

When the frame of the umbrella has been arranged for use, it may be readily hoisted by moving the runner 11 over the rod, and when it is desired to close the umbrella a slow movement of the runner 1i in an opposite direction over the rod will cause the several ribs to regularly move inwardly toward the rod without breaking the joints, the pulling tension of the stretchers on the pins 37 under this condition preventing the separation of the ribjoints and permit the umbrella to be carried in closed condition, as in structures of this class. If the umbrella while hoisted is subjected to extraordinary strain from heavy winds, the rod may be shortened to increase its resistance to breakage and bending by disengaging the pin 8 from the seat 7 through a manipulation of the section 1 and said pin caused to engage the groove 5 above said seat and permit the upper end of the section 1 to be pushed upwardly into the runner 11 until said end contacts with the extensions 18 of the stretchers projecting inwardly through the slots 14, the end of the section 1 engaging the as just set forth, the ribs and stretchers, as well as the catch 12, remain undisturbed, and by such adjustment the user of the umbrella is given agreater purchase in holding the same during storms.

If the runner 11 be rapidly drawn over the section 1 in closing the umbrella and has a quick jerk applied thereto, the rib-joints will be broken and the members 22 will be automatically thrown outwardly and fold against the members 21, the stretchers 17 in this operation having their hooked terminals gradually shifted longitudinally through the throats 31 of the members 22 until the ribs are fully folded against the rod, when said terminals will project outwardly through the ends of the members 22, to which the cover 47 is attached, and at the same time the stretchers will assume positions approximately parallel with the said members 22. WVhen the runner 11 is drawn inwardly toward the handle 38, the stretchers 17 are moved 01f the beveled end 18 of the section 1 of the rod by reason of the fact that the resistance to the movement of the inner cam ends of the stretchers is very small and, further, in view of the fact that the ribs are simultaneously moved toward the rod, as in ordinary umbrella structures, and the movement of the said ribs to ward the rodcontinues until the upper sections 21 of said ribs are closed against the rod. The inner cam ends of the stretchers, which are curved, gradually clear themselves and turn on the pivot-pins 16, the stretchers moving outwardly during this operation instead of inwardly, as in ordinary umbrella structures. As the runner is drawn toward the handle 38 and a pulling strain exerted on the stretcher 17, the said pulling strain is transmitted, through the upper sections 21 of the ribs, to the section 2 of the rod, and the latter is drawn inwardly into the section 1 when the runner arrives at a certain point or just about when; the sections 21 have been fully infolded, and at such time the stretchers 27, continuing to exert a pulling strain on the ribs at the joints of the latter, will cause the sections 22 to turn outwardly and fold against the sections 21, and as the section 2 of the rod will be fully drawn into the section 1 under such conditions the stretchers 17 will be forced to pass or slide longitudinally through the sections 22 and be moved with the said latter sections against the sections 21. The handle 38 may or may not be then detached, and the loose or surplus portion of the coveret'? willbe rolled around and secured over the folded ribs and stretchers and may he enveloped by a case, as in the usual umbrella structure. The stretchers in the folding operation just explained, as well as the hooked terminals thereof, telescope in the members 22 of the ribs, said stretchers being held by the rib members and prevented from accidentally moving out of engagement with the latter in view of the diameter of the body portions of the stretchers being greater than the width of the throats 31, formed in the inner portions of the members 22. Furthermore, in fully reducing the umbrella to compact form it will be observed that the sections of the rod are not separated, the section 1 being first slightly turned in the proper direction to disengage the pin 10 from the seat 7 after a slight longitudinal movement of the section to cause the said pin to aline with the lateral slot 6. When the section 2 is fully telescoped in the section 1, the pin 10 bears against the outer terminal of the slot 5 and the catch 12 is utilized to prevent the parts from shifting by causing it to engage the notch nearest the inner extremity of the section 1 in advance of the runner 11, which will then have its inner end firmly in contact with the flange 45.

When the rod is shortened, as heretofore explained, during the time that the umbrella is hoisted the resisting strength of the um brella is materially increased by reason of the reduced end of the section 1 engaging the extensions 18, said extensions having their terminals firmly bearing against the part of the section 2 inclosed by the runner to prevent loose movement or wabbling of the said stretchers and ribs. To accommodate this shortening operation of the rod, the runner 11 is diametrically increased to embrace the section 1 with su'lficient looseness to permit it to be easily operated, and consequently there is a material difference between the inner diameter of the runner and the outer diameter of the section 2, and in the absence of the extensions 18 on the inner ends of the ribs the said sleeve would have a wabbling or disadvantageous loose movement on the sections of the rod, with serious detriment to the stability of the umbrella structure as an entirety and with considerable annoyance to the user.

Having thus fully described the invention, what is claimed as new is- 1. An umbrella having ribs made in section hinged together, and stretchers connected, respectively, to one section of each rib and movable lengthwise of the same, said movement operating to fold the sections.

2. An umbrella having a supporting-rod, ribs made in sections, and a stretcher connected to one section of each rib and telescoping therein in folding the umbrella.

3. An umbrella having a supporting-rod, ribs made in hinged sections attached thereto, and means movable lengthwise of one section of each of the ribs for causing said section to automatically fold outwardly.

1. An umbrella having a supporting-rod, ribs made in hinged sections attached thereto, and means movable lengthwise of the ribs for automatically folding the latter at the hinged joint. 1

5. An umbrella having a supporting-rod, ribs made in hinged sections attached to the rod, and stretchers on the rod and connected to the ribs for causing portions of the latter to fold automatically at the hinged joint, said means moving lengthwise of the ribs in operation. I

6. An umbrella having a supporting-rod, ribs attached to the rod, said ribs being hinged intermediate their'length, and stretchers movable lengthwise of the outer section of rod to fold the latter upon the inner section in oporation.

7 An umbrella having a supporting-rod, ribs attached thereto, said ribs being divided into two sections by an intermediate hinged joint, and means connected to the rod and to the outer rib-section, said means being movable lengthwise of the outer section to fold it upon the inner section and maintain it in folded position.

8. An umbrella having arod comprising telescopic sections, ribs secured to one section, a runner movable lengthwise of the rod and stretchers connected to the runner and to the ribs, said stretchers having ends projecting into the runner and bearing against the rod.

9. An umbrella having a supporting-rod made in telescopic sections, ribs attached to the upper section, a runner movable lengthwise of the rod, stretchers connected to the runner and to the ribs, said stretchers having cam ends projecting within the runner and bearing against the rod.

10. An umbrella having a supporting-rod, ribs attached thereto, said ribs being formed in sections by an intermediate joint, a runner movable lengthwise of the rod, stretchers connected to the runner and to the outer section of the ribs, said stretchers being movable lengthwise said outer section to fold the same upon the inner rib-section, the stretchers be ing bent near their lower ends to receive the folded ends of the ribs.

11. An umbrella having a supportingrod, a runner on said rod, jointed ribs attached to the rod and having a spring connection at their joints, and stretchers attached at one end to the runner and at the opposite end to the ribs adjacent the spring connection, said stretchers being disengaged from their connections to the ribs in the folding of the umbrella.

12. An umbrella having a supporting-rod, ribs attached to the rod, a runner movable lengthwise of the rod, stretchers attached at their inner ends to the runner and at their outer ends to the ribs, a portion of the ribs being hollow, the stretchers telescoping in said hollow portions in the folding operation of the umbrella.

13. In an umbrella, a supporting-rod comprising telescopic sections, ribs attached to the upper section, a runner movable lengthwise of the rod and having a catch adapted for engagement with a notch formed in the upper rod-section, stretchers connected to the runner and to the rib, the stretchers having terminals projecting within the runner and bearing against the upper rod-section, the lower rod-section being formed with a shoulder to engage said terminals, whereby the sections may be partially telescoped without disturbing the remaining parts.

lL Acollapsible umbrellahavingasupporting-rod, a runner mounted on the rod, ribs centrally hinged to provide sections, said ribs being attached to the rod, a locking means at the rib-joints, and stretchers attached at their rear ends to the runner with outer terminals engaging the joint-locking means, said terminals disengaging from the locking means in the folding operation of the umbrella.

15. Acollapsible umbrellahavingasupporting-rod, ribs formed in sections, one section of'each rib being connected to the rod, means for locking the rib-sections at point of connection, a runner movable lengthwise of the rod, and stretchers attached at their inner ends to the runner and having outer hooked terminals to engage the locking means of the joints.

16. Acollapsibleumbrellahavingasupporting-rod, ribs made in sections, one section of each rib being attached to said rod, a crosspin carried by one section and engaging the other section, a runner movable lengthwise of the rod, stretchers attached at their inner ends to the runner and having outer hooked terminals to engage the cross-pins.

17. A collapsible umbrellahavingasupporting-rod, ribs made in sections, one section of each rib being attached to said rod, a crosspin carried by one section and engaging the other section, a runner movable lengthwise of the rod, stretchers attached at their inner ends to the runner and having outer hooked terminals to detachably engage the cross-pins.

18. A collapsible umbrella having a supporting-rod, a runner on the rod, jointed ribs attached to the rod, each rib being composed of two members with a hinged connection, the end of one rib member having an upper slot, fulcrum projections, and inward extensions, and the end of the other member formed with a rabbet, inward extensions, and angular flanges, a pivot-pin connecting the projections and the end of the member having a rabbet, and a stretcher attached at its inner end to the runner and having its outer end connected to a part of the rib-joint.

l9. Acollapsible umbrellahavingasupporting-rod, a runner on the rod, ribs connected to the rod, each rib consisting of two sections, one having longitudinal seats near its extremity and the other provided with a pin extending transversely through and terminally projected beyond the opposite sides thereof to engage the said seats to form a springlock, and a stretcher terminally attached to the runner and rib.

IIO

IIS

20. A collapsible umbrellahaving a supporting-rod, a runner on the rod, ribs connected to the rod and comprising two sections pivotally connected together, one section formed with seats, the other section being provided with a cross-pin to engage said seats when the sections are extended, and stretchers connected to the runner and to the cross-pins.

21. A collapsibleumbrellahavingasupporting-rod, a runner on the rod, ribs connected to the rod and comprising two sections pivotally connected together, one section formed with seats, the other section being provided with a cross-pin to engage said seats when the sections are extended, and stretchers connected to the runner and engaging the cross-pins, said stretchers being disengaged from the cross-pins in the folding operation of the umbrella.

22. A collapsible umbrellahavingasupporting-rod, a runner on the rod, ribs attached to the rod, each rib consisting of two sections, the one having longitudinal seats and the other provided with a pin extending transversely through and terminally engaging the said seats to form a spring-lock, and a stretcher connected at its inner end to the runner and having an outer hooked end to engage the cross-pin.

23. Acollapsible umbrella havingasupporting-rod, a runner on the rod, ribs attached to the rod, each rib consisting of two sections, the one having longitudinal seats and the other provided with a pin extending transversely through the section and terminally engaging the said seats to form a spring-lock, and a stretcher connected at its inner end to the runner and having an outer hooked end to detachably engage the cross-pin.

24. A collapsible umbrella having a telescopic supporting-rod, ribs secured to the rod, a runner movable lengthwise of the rod, stretchers connected to the runner and to the ribs, a stop-flange formed on the lower rodsection to limit the downward movement of the runner, and a handle removably secured to the lower rod-section and carrying means to engage said stop-flange.

25. A collapsible umbrella having a telescopic supporting-rod, ribs secured to the rod, a runner movable v lengthwise of the rod, stretchers connected to the runner and to the ribs, a stop-flange formed on the lower rodsection to limit the downward movement of the runner, a handle removably secured to the lower rod-section, and a pin projecting from the handle to enter an opening formed in the stop-flange.

In testimony whereof we affix our signatures in presence of two witnesses.

ELMER E. SHAFFER. WVILLIAM D. WEBSTER. 

